Help with firmware upgrade/replacement

Hey guys, need some help, new at this. Have a Sansa Clip+ that was bought in prison, firmware is custom BOP firmware with lots of restrictions on it. How do I get it off the player and update the firmware so I get back all the features. Thanks.

Re: Help with firmware upgrade/replacement

Followed instructions when extracted the zip file only file shown was m300a.bin, soon as I copied it onto player and removed player from computer it deleted the file. BOP has real tight firmware so it won't allow me to save any files to the player, unless authorized. What if I delete all files from player and start over, problem with that is that the library computer won't show me hidden files. PLEASE HELP!

Re: Help with firmware upgrade/replacement

Hey guys, need some help, new at this. Have a Sansa Clip+ that was bought in prison,

GlennW wrote:

Followed instructions when extracted the zip file only file shown was m300a.bin, soon as I copied it onto player and removed player from computer it deleted the file.

Here's your problem. You're trying to put the wrong firmware on. The Clip+ firmware once extracted should reveal a file named clppa.bin that you drop into the player to update (or re-apply) the firmware. You can get it here.

Re: Help with firmware upgrade/replacement

Thanks, got the right file but the player still won't allow me to drag it to it, when disconected it deletes the file. No clue why, tried several times. Anyway to delete all files from player and just put on new firmware?

Re: Help with firmware upgrade/replacement

The .bin file will disappear after the firmware updates. That is normal. Are you getting a "updating firmware" or "firmware update in progress" message on the player's screen after unplugging from the computer? The player should then shut down. When you re-start it, it will ask you to select you Region and Language. Once selected, the firmware update is complete.

Re: Help with firmware upgrade/replacement

No, once I disconect the player from the computer it deletes any file I added. Problem is probably I'm using a library computer that won't allow me to run the updates. This is so frustrating, has to be an easier way, even if I must lose all my songs.

Please help, in 4 days the player shuts down (another BOP restriction). Thanks

Re: Help with firmware upgrade/replacement

I wonder if this is a library computer issue. As noted, once you put the bin file on the player and disconnect, the player should update and then turn off.
One thought: if your player's USB mode, under Settings, is not set to MSC mode, you might try switching to that and updating then.

Re: Help with firmware upgrade/replacement

Very well could be. Most public accessible computers like those at a public library are restricted from actually downloading anything from the internet to protect them from viruses, trojans, worms and of course anything illegal.

If this libray the OP talks about is one in a prison (as he said the device was bought there), I'm sure their library computers are locked down even tighter. In fact, since things around this were not clarified at the start of the thread, the OP could be trying to circumvent the specialized firmware on his player that is there for a reason, and we could be collaberating in an illegal, or certainly un-authorized "hack" just by discussing how to modify this system.

Hopefully, the OP is not trying to do anything he is not supposed to, the unit (or the OP) is no longer in prison and will reply and assuage these suspicions.

Re: Help with firmware upgrade/replacement

Hi, and thanks again for your help. First, yes I am doing everything allowed, I was recently released from prison and brought the player into the free world. Secondly, while part of the problem was the Public Library issues, the bigger problem is that the firmware on the player will not allow me to write, copy, modify any files on the player. So, while I've tried to run updater, and tried to move the clppa.bin file onto the player, the player will not allow it to stay on it once I disconect from the computer. So, the only files I see (including hidden files are MTABLE, RES_INFO, SYS_CONF, version.sdk ( FW: V01.03.23P ), and DID.bin. If I need to delete everything, even music from player, so be it, but otherwise the player will cease to work in five days. The company will fix it for me at a cost of $25, but I'd think it could be done for free.